Yorkton Council has decided the Deputy Mayor should still receive some extra pay for their efforts.
At the February 10, 2020 Council Meeting, a report was delivered to City Council regarding an amendment to the Remuneration of Council Policy. The policy sets the salaries of Council Members and was last amended in October of 2018, when the Federal government removed the tax exemption on one-third of Council remuneration.
The proposed amendments would have;
*Specify that the annual adjustment of Council salaries (increases or decreases) as dictated by the MLAs would be implemented the following calendar year, for budgeting purposes;
*That Deputy Mayor pay be removed, as the duties of the position have lessened; and
*Clarify the requirement for the terms served for Deputy Mayor to be cumulative of at least eight months (current policy reads six months), and not consecutive.
Council reviewed the amendment and approved Administration to proceed with the Public Notice process required per The Cities Act, and the City of Yorkton Public Notice Bylaw. Public Notice was posted on the City of Yorkton website, and in the local newspaper for three consecutive weeks, explained Jessica Matsalla Director of Legislation & Procedures, with the City.
One written submission was received from the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce, opposing the removal of Deputy Mayor pay, as was heard this evening.
The letter signed by Chamber president Mike Stackhouse stated “It is the understanding of this Board that serving as Deputy Mayor requires extra time commitment above and beyond the normal duties of a Councillor. As such, the Councillor serving as Deputy Mayor must take time from his/her business or place of employment; and most likely family in order to fulfill these duties.”
The letter detailed while it is not common for a Chamber to express opposition to an order of government’s plans to reduce an elected official’s remuneration but this is not the time or area in which the city should be considering monetary cuts for these reasons:
*It is important for governments to continue to attract high calibre candidates. Reducing remuneration may dissuade some from seeking those positions. As an advocate of the business community, the Chamber wants the best people to serve on Council.
*The 3.33 per cent of the Mayor’s salary per month served as Deputy Mayor (which equates to under $232) seems to be fair compensation for time spent from a business or place of employment and family.
*The approximate $2,780 Deputy Mayor annual remuneration represents only 0.42 per cent of the annual Council expenses.
“Administration appreciates the desire to attract quality candidates for City Council, but respectfully suggests that the Deputy Pay amount is nominal and the inexistence of Deputy Mayor pay would not discourage good candidates from running,” said Matsalla. “...Administration is of the opinion that this last amendment (2018) already appropriately addressed what the Chamber spoke about in their letter, by not penalizing the individuals who choose to serve the community as elected officials, due to a decision at the Federal level.”
Council ultimately chose to keep the remuneration for the Deputy Mayor position, but did specify that the annual adjustment of salaries as dictated by the MLAs to be implemented the following calendar year, for budgeting purposes.
